Wallowing in Watermelon

From picnics to seed spitting contests to crunchy slices devoured straight from the refrigerator, summer has no better mascot than watermelon.

Believed to have originated in the Kalahari Desert as a wild handheld fruit the size of an orange, watermelon is a curcurbit - a relative of canteloupe, cucumber, and summer and winter squash.

Watermelon was soon enjoyed by ancient Egyptians as a source of potable water in the desert, transported from Africa to the Americas for pioneer use as a canteen, and, more recently, filled with liquor for the ritual libations of college students.

Between two and three hundred varieties of watermelons are grown in the United States, yielding an abundance of fruit and seed sizes, several colors, and early or late crops.

Choose a firm melon that's heavy for its size, and free of dents or bruises. To easily de-seed an entire melon, cut it into quarters, then cut out the "seed line." Use a knife or fork to remove seeds from the piece you have cut, as well as from the remaining flesh on the rind.

Of course watermelon is nearly perfect slurped up by the slice, but don't stop there. Hunks of watermelon marry beautifully with summer tomatoes in salsas and tomato salads. Top bitter summer greens such as arugula and watercress with pieces of watermelon and bits of a salty cheese. A traditional Mediterranean preparation likewise combines watermelon, mint, and feta cheese.

Whirl it in a blender, then push the pulp through a strainer for fresh watermelon juice. If you can manage not to drink it all in one sitting, pour some into molds and freeze into popsicles. The rinds can be pickled and, in some parts of the world, certain cultivars are grown just for this purpose.

And you've still got a few months left of summer to try to break the Guinness Book of Records Watermelon Seed Spit: 68 feet, 9 1/8 inches, set by Lee Wheelis in 1989.

Tour Union Square, Feast at Butter Restaurant and Appear on the Food Network!

Greenmarket Tours & Tastes are so delicious that even Food Network wants a bite! Join Butter's Chef Alex Guarnaschelli next Wednesday as she hosts guests and a Food Network film crew on an intimate Greenmarket tour followed by a unique meal at Butter.

Discover how Greenmarket ingredients influence her menu, find out what she loves most about this famed farmers market, and most importantly, savor the flavors together. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to spend a day with this culinary idol and enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal. Tickets are $125 per person and space is very limited. Don't delay; reserve your space today!

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Taste of Greenmarket: A Mouthwatering Fundraiser

Join us Wednesday, October 29th as New York's best chefs gather to celebrate harvest season at the Greenmarket and present tastings of signature dishes prepared from their favorite Greenmarket ingredients:

Dan Barber of Blue Hill Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern Peter Hoffman of Savoy & Back Forty Bill Telepan of Telepan Mary Cleaver of The Green Table Aaron Sanchez of Centrico & Paladar Marco Canora of Hearth & Insieme Alexandra Guarnaschelli of Butter and many more!

All proceeds will benefit GrowNYC's Greenmarket program in its efforts to preserve family farms, bring fresh produce to all five boroughs and educate children about our food systems. The evening honors Christopher "Kim" J. Elliman, GrowNYC board member and CEO of the Open Space Institute, as well as City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

For more information and to purchase tickets.

Making Headlines: Greenmarket In The Press

Check out the recent Q & A with our director, Michael Hurwitz, on the New York Times Blog.

Learn about the New Farmer Development Project, with director Kate Granger and farmer Sergio Nolasco.

Listen to Tim Stark talk tomatoes. 

Florence Fabricant is loving on lima beans.

And Melissa Clark is sweet on summer beans.

All Markets Are Go!

All of Greenmarket's 45 locations are now open for business! We have markets in every borough and on every day of the week, with something special for everyone. Peak farmers market season is now through November, so seize the day - and a smorgasbord of local flavor - at your neighborhood Greenmarket.

Find a Greenmarket in your neighborhood.

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve with Our New Greenmarket Gear

You love to shop at the Greenmarkets so show your shopper pride with some Greenmarket gear. Great gifts for you and the foodies in your life, merchandise includes aprons, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and tank tops as well as stuff for lil sprout shoppers (bibs and more!).

Click here to be the first in your building to sport Greenmarket gear, and help support your favorite farmers. : http://www.cafepress.com/greenmarket

Photo Opportunity: Enter the Greenmarket Picture Contest!

Calling all shutterbugs: The Greenmarket wants your best photos.

Submit your pics of the action in any of our famous markets the farmers, the shoppers, the produce, the flowers and well publish the best of the bunch in our printed materials. Photos must be original, at least 300 dpi, and include a brief description of the farm stand name or market name and date. Email photos to us at sound13dint@photos.flickr.com with the subject line Greenmarket Photo Contest.